Monday, 23 March 2015

Bloggers on the Blog...Book Shelf Fantasies

This weekly feature showcases some of the best of the book blogging community.

These are the unsung heroes who are constantly on the look out for new and exciting books

and who give so generously of their time ,energy and expertise.I am delighted to welcome

Lisa

from

the excellent blog

Bookshelf Fantasies

Lisa ~ welcome to Jaffareadstoo

What makes you want to blog
about books?

I spend a lot of time reading
books, talking about books, and thinking about books, and I finally realized
that blogging might be a really good outlet for me. Blogging about books gives
me a chance to share my thoughts, have some terrific discussions with other
bloggers and booklovers, and as an added bonus, has introduced me to a
wonderful community of book-obsessed bloggers!

What type of book makes you
happy?

I read all sorts of genres,
and I’m happiest when I alternate rather than reading only one type of book.
That said, I typically enjoy books with well-drawn characters, unusual
settings, and intense relationships. I love historical fiction, but also love
science fiction and fantasy, contemporary drama, and great children’s
literature. Books with strong, smart women leading the way make me especially
happy.

Which book have you
recommended the most?

I recommend the Outlander
series a lot. Some other books I find myself recommending over and over again
include Code Name Verity by Elizabeth Wein, I Shall Be Near To You by Erin
Lindsay McCabe, The Rosie Project by Graeme Simsion, and The Blue Sword by Robin
McKinley. The series I most often recommend are Harry Potter, His Dark
Materials by Philip Pullman, Jim Butcher’s Dresden Files and Codex Alera
series, and the Parasol Protectorate series by Gail Carriger.

Which is the best book you
received as a gift?

My daughter always gives me
the best book gifts! Last year, she gave me a copy of the graphic novel of A
Wrinkle in Time, which was perfect in so many ways – not least of which being
that we enjoyed the original book together when she was
young.

Which book has sent a shiver
down your spine?

The Night Strangers by Chris
Bohjalian was unexpectedly scary! Midwinterblood by Marcus Sedgwick was a
different sort of shivery read, and Harrowgate by Kate Maruyama was also good
for a chill.

How many books do you have, as
yet unread, on your book shelves?

Oh gosh, probably way more
than I think! If I had to guess, I say I probably have about 200 total unread
books in my house, including all of the unread books on my Kindle. I think I
should do an inventory!

Tell me about a book you've
read more than three times?

Besides Outlander? J I’ve gone back to The Sparrow by Mary Doria Russell at least 3 or 4
times so far, and every time I find something new to appreciate. It’s a science
fiction book that is also a beautiful look at friendships, faith, and what it
means to be a good person. Whenever I read it, it breaks my heart all over
again and makes me think – two signs that this is a book with impact.

What’s your idea of book
heaven or book hell?

Great question!

Book heaven: A
big comfy chair, a never ending supply of new and exciting books, and all the time
I could ever want to read them all. Preferably with snacks and coffee appearing
by my elbow so I never have to look up or go make myself something to eat.

Book
hell: Being trapped forever with only airport books… or being in a room full of
the best books in the world, but also having TVs blaring and people talking
loudly right next to me at all times.

Where is your favourite
reading place?

At home, my favorite reading
place is on my back porch on a sunny day! The best place I’ve ever read a book
was sitting on a rock in a meadow at Yosemite National Park while on a camping
trip. I was reading Outlander for the first time in one of the most beautiful
places on earth, and it was perfect.

What has been your favourite
book of the year...so far ?

Only one? That’s too hard! So
far in 2015, my favorite book for adults was Station Eleven by Emily St. John
Mandel, my favorite young adult novel was Winger by Andrew Smith, and my
favorite re-read was To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee.